The Runaway Reporter (A Police Procedural Mystery Series of Crime and Suspense, Hyder Ali #3) by Thomas Fincham Read Free Book Online

behavior.”
    Nolan looked at it in awe.  “So each of the participants was mailed this patch?” he asked.
    She nodded.  “At first we had wanted to do a controlled test, by bringing the participants in our lab and monitoring them, but we quickly decided against it as it would’ve been flawed.  For one thing, there was no possible way we could bring close to nine hundred participants into one place.  On top of that, we couldn’t hold them for twelve months.  Plus, we needed to see if the drug worked on all types of people and was not dependent on where they lived, so that was why we had opened it to the entire country.  This is the first phase, mind you.  Like I’ve said, we have chosen healthy individuals from the ages of eighteen to forty-four.  In the next phase, we plan on expanding the age group and then in the final stage to anyone, regardless of what their health issues are.”
    “Impressive,” Nolan said.  “I’m curious, is it possible to get a sample?”  Right now his head was pounding.  His desire to give up alcohol, cold turkey, was stressing his mind and his body.  He could use something like this to calm his nerves.
    Dr. St. Claire shook her head. “Legally, we are not allowed to prescribe it. Our study is strictly monitored.  I’m sorry.” She held out her hand.
    Reluctantly, Nolan handed it back.
    “Okay,” he said. “Then can I get the list with the names of those involved in the study?”
    She looked annoyed.  “I guess I don’t have to tell you again it’s confidential, and also, there are eight hundred and eighty-two names, so I’m not sure how helpful it would be to you.”
    “I’ll make sure to not share it with anyone, and yes, I do need to see it, even with the amount of names on it.  I can get a court order, if you like.”
    She hesitated.
    “Listen,” Nolan said. “Three people from your study were murdered, so I’m sure a judge won’t mind signing the order.”
    “Alright, give me a minute,” she finally said.
     
    FIFTEEN
     
    Hyder and Felix were back at the Daily Times .  They were trying to locate the landlord’s name.  Hyder knew if they found him and were able to speak to him, they could get the victims’ names.
    The city’s land registry was closed, so they were trying to see if they could search for the name online.
    This was when Hyder looked at his watch.   It was close to Iftar —the time to break his fast.
    He had been so busy that he didn’t realize the day had raced on by.  This was good, of course.  If it had dragged, all he would have thought about was food and drink.
    He told Felix he was heading home and quickly left the Daily Times .
    Normally, he would have ridden his bicycle, but with the humidity, even at this late in the day, it would drain his body of much needed energy and fluids.
    He decided to take public transit instead.  Hyder got on the air conditioned bus and after finding a seat relaxed on the twenty minute journey to his destination.
    The bus dropped him off in front of a condominium.  Hyder took the elevator to the twelfth floor.
    He stopped outside one apartment and knocked. After a few seconds, the door swung open and he was face to face with his older brother.  Akbar Ali was taller than him.  His beard was trimmed and his hair was gelled and coiffed.  Dr. Ali worked at Franklin General Hospital, where he was now a cancer specialist.
    “It’s almost time,” he said, not concerned with pleasantries. Akbar was a stickler for punctuality, and so Hyder didn’t bother with excuses that would only fall on deaf ears.
    Hyder entered the condo, and his sister-in-law came out of the kitchen with a smile on her face.  Aisha Ali was now a full-time pharmacist, dispensing medication not far from where she and her husband now lived.
    As per tradition, Aisha had decided to move into the house that Akbar shared with Hyder and their mom, but it was their mom who had thought it best that the new couple get a place of